Overcap for a tennis ball container

ABSTRACT

An overcap for a container for storing at least one tennis ball, the container extending along a longitudinal axis and having an open end. The overcap includes a body adapted for removably attachment to the open end of the tennis ball container. The body includes a peripheral rim for engaging an outer surface of the container at the open end, and a lip projecting from the peripheral rim toward the longitudinal axis. The peripheral lip extends over a portion of the open end of the tennis ball container. The lip defines a first opening.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an improved overcap for atennis ball container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tennis balls are typically stored in a pressurized cylindrical bodyhaving a closed end and a second end that is sealed with a removableseal. Once the seal is removed, pressure is lost from the body and thesecond end becomes an open end. An overcap is commonly provided withmost pressurized tennis ball containers to allow for the tennis balls tobe placed into the cylindrical body through the open end, and then forthe second end to be closed.

Existing overcaps are thick solid pieces of plastic that extend andfully cover the open end of the tennis ball container. The overcaps canadd undesirable weight and cost to the tennis ball container.Accordingly, there is a continuing need for an improved overcap that canaddress these undesirable aspects of existing overcaps.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an overcap for a container for storing atleast one tennis ball. The container extends along a longitudinal axisand has an open end. The overcap includes a body adapted for removablyattachment to the open end of the tennis ball container. The bodyincludes a peripheral rim for engaging an outer surface of the containerat the open end, and a lip projecting from the peripheral rim toward thelongitudinal axis. The peripheral lip extends over a portion of the openend of the tennis ball container. The lip defines a first opening.

According to a principal aspect of a preferred form of the invention, atennis ball container includes a cylindrical body and an overcap. Thetennis ball container is adapted for storing at least one tennis ball.Each of the at least one tennis balls has a maximum cross-sectional areaand a diameter. The cylindrical body extends along a longitudinal axisand has a first closed end and a second end opposite the first end. Theovercap is removably attached to the second end of the cylindrical body.The overcap includes a peripheral rim for engaging an outer surface ofthe container at the open end, and a lip projecting from the peripheralrim toward the longitudinal axis. The peripheral lip extends over aportion of the open end of the tennis ball container. The lip defines afirst opening.

This invention will become more fully understood from the followingdetailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings described herein below, and wherein like reference numeralsrefer to like parts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a container for tennis ballsincluding an improved overcap in accordance with an implementation ofthe present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top, side perspective view of the overcap of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom, side perspective view of the overcap of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4A is a top view of the overcap of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4B is a top view of an overcap for a tennis ball container inaccordance with another implementation of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the overcap of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is top perspective view of a tennis ball container and aconventional tennis ball container overcap shown above the container.

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of a container for tennis ballsincluding an improved overcap in accordance with another implementationof the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a top, side perspective view of the overcap of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a bottom, side perspective view of the overcap of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a top view of the overcap of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the overcap of FIG. 7;

FIGS. 12 through 15 are top views of overcaps for tennis ball containersin accordance with other alternative implementations of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, a container 10 holding a plurality of tennis balls12 is shown with an improved overcap 14. The container 10 is sized tohold two, three, four or more tennis balls 14. In one implementation,the container 10 is a cylindrical container extending about alongitudinal axis 16. The container includes a first closed end 18 and asecond end 20 opposite the closed end 18. The container can have acircular cross-sectional shape when viewed about a plane extendingthrough the container 10 and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 16.In other implementations, the container can take other shapes, such as,for example, a shape having a polygonal cross-sectional area.

Referring to FIG. 6, the container 10 is typically pressurized to retainthe tennis balls 12 in a pressurized state. Tennis balls 12 aretypically sold new in a pressurized state in which the balls arepressurized within a range of 5 to 15 psi. In one example, premiumtennis balls are pressurized to approximately 13 psi. In order tomaintain the tennis balls 12 in a pressurized state, the tennis ballcontainer 10 is typically also pressurized within the range of 5 to 15psi. The container 10 is typically initially configured and sold with aremovable seal 22 positioned over at the second end 20, closing thesecond end 20 to maintain the container 10 in a pressurized state. Theremovable seal 22 is typically formed of an aluminum alloy or similarmaterial, and includes a pop-top tab 24 to facilitate the removal of theseal 22 from the second end 20 of the container 10. Once the seal 22 isremoved from the second end 20, the seal 22 is typically discardedleaving the second end 20 open.

Existing tennis ball containers are typically sold with a prior artovercap 30, which is a circular lid formed of a continuous piece ofpolymeric material, such as a thick plastic. The overcap is used, afterthe seal 22 has been removed from the second end 20, to store the tennisballs 12 and retain them in the container for later use. Existingovercaps 30 add to the cost, weight and waste associated with a tennisball container. Accordingly, there is a continuing need to provide animproved overcap that can be produced at a lower cost, have a lighterweight, and result in less waste associated with the tennis ballcontainer.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4 a and 5, an improved tennis ball containerovercap 14 is illustrated. The overcap 14 includes a body 32 adapted forremovable attachment to the open end 20 of the container 10. The body 32is formed of a lightweight, resilient material, such as a plastic. Inother implementations, the body 32 can be formed of other materials,such as, for example, other polymeric materials, a rubber, a wood, analuminum, other alloys, or combinations thereof. The body 32 of theovercap 14 includes a peripheral rim 34 for engaging an outer surface ofthe container 10 at the open second end 20. The peripheral rim 34extends around the entire circumference or periphery of the container 10at the second end 20. The body 32 further includes a lip 36 radiallyprojecting from at least one location on the peripheral rim 34 towardthe longitudinal axis 16. In the implementation of FIGS. 1-5, the lip 36uniformly projects radially toward the longitudinal axis 16 about theentire periphery or circumference of the rim 34. The lip 36 and/or theperipheral rim 34 define a first overcap opening 40. The first overcapopening 40 is circular, and is sized so as to smaller than the diameterof the tennis ball 12 and/or smaller than that maximum cross-sectionalarea of the tennis ball 12. The diameter of a typical tennis ball iswithin the range of 2.57 to 2.7 inches. Accordingly, the overcap opening40 of the implementation of FIGS. 1-4 a and 5 has a diameter less than2.57 inches. The maximum cross-sectional area of a typical tennis ballwould be πr², or π(1.285 in)² to π(1.35 in)² or 5.187 in² to 5.725 in².In other implementations, the size of the diameter or the maximumcross-sectional area can be a different dimension or area.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the first overcap opening 40 of the overcap 14is sized to retain the tennis balls 14 within the container 10. In theimplementation, of FIG. 1, the first opening 40 may allow for a portionof the tennis ball 12 closest to the second end 20 of the container 10to slightly extend through the first opening 40.

The first opening 40 is sufficiently large enough that the amount ofmaterial used to produce the improved overcap 14 is at least 40 percentlower than the amount of material used to produce a conventionalovercap. In another implementation, the opening 40 is sufficiently largeenough that the amount of material used to produce the improved overcap14 is at least 50 percent lower than the amount of material used toproduce a conventional overcap 30. A conventional tennis containerovercap can weigh approximately 6.1 grams, and in one implementation,the overcap 14 weighs 3.5 grams, which is a reduction in weight of over42 percent. Accordingly, the weight of the overcap 14 was measured to bemore than 40 percent lower than the weight of a conventional tennis canovercap. Accordingly, the improved overcap 14 results in significantlylower waste, significantly lower material cost, and significantly lowerweight than a conventional overcap 30. Less material results in lessmaterial for recycling and/or landfills.

Referring to FIG. 4b , in one implementation, a very thin layer 60 oflightweight material can be applied over the opening 40 of the overcap14. The very thin layer 60 of lightweight material can be used toprevent dirt, debris or moisture from entering the tennis ball container10 with the overcap 14 applied to the second end 20 of the container 10after the pop-top tab 24 is removed from the container 10.

Referring to FIGS. 7 through 11, another implementation of a tennis ballcontainer overcap 114 is illustrated. The tennis ball container overcap114 is substantially similar to the overcap 14 except that the overcap114 includes a lip 136 that extends from a first location 144 of aperipheral rim 134 to a second location 146 about the peripheral rim 134to form a band 150. The band 150, the peripheral rim 134 and/or the lip136 define first and second overcap openings 140 and 142. The band 150includes an outer surface 152, and the outer surface 152 can includealphanumeric and/or graphical indicia 154, such as, a trademark, asymbol, an instruction, a descriptive or inspirational message and/orcombinations thereof. As shown in FIG. 7, the band 150 retains thetennis balls 12 within the container 10, such that no portion of thetennis ball 12 closest to the second end 20 projects or extends throughthe first or second overcap openings 140 and 142. The overcap 114includes the same or similar benefits of the overcap 14 by requiringless material to produce, resulting in less cost and less waste.

FIGS. 12 through 15 illustrate other implementations of an improvedovercap. Referring to FIG. 12, an improved overcap 214 is illustrated.Overcap 214 is substantially similar to overcap 14 and overcap 114except that overcap 214 includes a lip 236 including a band 250 thatextends from a first location 244 of a peripheral rim 234 to second andthird spaced-apart locations 246 and 248 about the peripheral rim 234,such that the band 250, the peripheral rim 234 and/or the lip 236 definefirst, second and third overcap openings 240, 242 and 241, respectively.Similar to the band 150, the band 250 retains the tennis balls 12 withinthe container 10, such that no portion of the tennis ball 12 closest tothe second end 20 projects or extends through the first, second or thirdovercap openings 240, 242 and 241. The overcap 214 includes the same orsimilar benefits of the overcap 14 by requiring less material toproduce, resulting in less cost and less waste.

Referring to FIG. 13, an improved overcap 314 is illustrated. Overcap314 is substantially similar to overcap 14, overcap 114 and overcap 214except that overcap 314 includes a lip 336 including a pair of band 350a and 350 b that extend from a first location 344 to a second location346 about a peripheral rim 334, and from a third location 348 to afourth location 352 about the peripheral rim 334, respectively. The band350, the peripheral rim 334 and/or a lip 336 define first, second andthird overcap openings 340, 342 and 341, respectively. Similar to theband 150, the band 350 retains the tennis balls 12 within the container10, such that no portion of the tennis ball 12 closest to the second end20 projects or extends through the first, second or third overcapopenings 340, 342 and 341. The overcap 314 includes the same or similarbenefits of the overcap 14 by requiring less material to produce,resulting in less cost and less waste.

Referring to FIG. 14, an improved overcap 414 is illustrated. Overcap414 is substantially similar to overcap 14, overcap 114, overcap 214 andovercap 314 except that overcap 314 includes a set of four lips 436 thatradially project toward the longitudinal axis 16 from four spaced-apartlocations of a peripheral rim 434. The four spaced-apart locations caninclude first, second, third and fourth locations that are equallyangularly spaced apart about the peripheral rim 434. In otherimplementations, other numbers of lips 436 can be used including 1, 2,3, 5 or more lips, and the lips can be positioned in other locations orarrangements about the peripheral rim 434. The peripheral rim 434 andthe lips 436 define an overcap openings 440. Similar to overcap 14 andthe first opening 40, the lips 436 can be sized so as to retain thetennis balls 12 within the container 10, and allow a small portion ofthe tennis ball 12 closest to the second opening 20 of the container toextend or project through the opening 440. The overcap 414 includes thesame or similar benefits of the overcap 14 by requiring less material toproduce, resulting in less cost and less waste.

Referring to FIG. 15, an improved overcap 514 is illustrated. Overcap514 is substantially similar to overcap 14, overcap 114, overcap 214,overcap 314 and overcap 415 except that overcap 514 includes a pair oflips 536 that radially project toward the longitudinal axis 16 from twoangularly spaced-apart locations of a peripheral rim 534. The twospaced-apart locations can include first and second locations that areequally angularly spaced apart about the peripheral rim 534. In otherimplementations, other numbers of lips 536 can be used including 1, 3, 4or more lips, and the lips 536 can be positioned in other locations orarrangements about the peripheral rim 534. The peripheral rim 534 andthe lips 536 define an overcap opening 540. Similar to overcap 14 andthe first opening 40, the lips 536 can be sized so as to retain thetennis balls 12 within the container 10, and allow a small portion ofthe tennis ball 12 closest to the second opening 20 of the container toextend or project through the opening 540. The overcap 514 includes thesame or similar benefits of the overcap 14 by requiring less material toproduce, resulting in less cost and less waste.

While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed and illustrated, numerous departures therefrom can becontemplated by persons skilled in the art. Therefore, the presentinvention is not limited to the foregoing description but only by thescope and spirit of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An overcap for a container for storing at leastone tennis ball, the container extending along a longitudinal axis andhaving an open end, the overcap comprising: a body adapted for removablyattachment to the open end of the tennis ball container, the bodyincluding a peripheral rim for engaging an outer surface of thecontainer at the open end, and a lip projecting from the peripheral rimtoward the longitudinal axis, the lip extending over a portion of theopen end of the tennis ball container, the lip and the peripheral rimdefining a first opening.
 2. The overcap of claim 1, wherein the atleast one tennis ball has a diameter and a maximum cross-sectional area,and wherein the first opening of the body is sized to be smaller thanone or both of the diameter of the tennis ball and the maximumcross-sectional area of the tennis ball.
 3. The overcap of claim 1,wherein the container is cylindrical, and wherein the container has acircular cross-sectional area, and wherein the body is an annular body.4. The overcap of claim 1, wherein the body is an annular body, andwherein the lip uniformly projects from the peripheral rim.
 5. Theovercap of claim 1, wherein the body is an annular body, and wherein thelip projects toward the longitudinal axis from at least one location ofthe peripheral rim.
 6. The overcap of claim 5, wherein the lip projectstoward the longitudinal axis from at least two spaced-apart locations ofthe peripheral rim.
 7. The overcap of claim 1 wherein the lip extendsfrom a first location of the peripheral rim to a second location aboutthe peripheral rim.
 8. The overcap of claim 7, wherein the lip forms aband such that the lip defines the first opening and a second opening.9. The overcap of claim 8, wherein the band includes an outer surface,and wherein alphanumeric and/or graphical indicia is formed on the outersurface of the band.
 10. The overcap of claim 1 wherein the lip extendsfrom a first location of the peripheral rim to at least second and thirdspaced-apart locations about the peripheral rim.
 11. A tennis ballcontainer storing at least one tennis ball, each of the at least onetennis balls having a maximum cross-sectional area and a diameter, thecontainer comprising: a cylindrical body extending along a longitudinalaxis and having a first closed end and a second end opposite the firstend; an overcap removably attached to the second end of the cylindricalbody, the overcap including a peripheral rim for engaging an outersurface of the container at the open end, and a lip projecting from theperipheral rim toward the longitudinal axis, the peripheral lipextending over a portion of the open end of the tennis ball container,the lip defining a first opening.
 12. The tennis ball container of claim11, further including a removable seal extending over the second end ofthe cylindrical container, and wherein while the removable seal isattached to the second end of the cylindrical container, the cylindricalcontainer is pressurized.
 13. The tennis ball container of claim 12,wherein the overcap is removably positioned over the removable seal. 14.The tennis ball container of claim 11, wherein the first opening of thebody is sized to be smaller than one or both of the diameter of thetennis ball and the maximum cross-sectional area of the tennis ball. 15.The tennis ball container of claim 11, wherein the lip uniformlyprojects from the peripheral rim.
 16. The tennis ball container of claim15, wherein the first opening is circular.
 17. The tennis ball containerof claim 11, wherein the lip extends from a first location about theperipheral rim to a second location about the peripheral rim.
 18. Thetennis ball container of claim 17, wherein the lip forms a band suchthat the lip defines the first opening and a second opening.
 19. Thetennis ball container of claim 18, wherein the band includes an outersurface, and wherein alphanumeric and/or graphical indicia is formed onthe outer surface of the band.
 20. The tennis ball container of claim11, wherein the lip extends from a first location of the peripheral rimto at least second and third spaced-apart locations about the peripheralrim.